Message from the Director

Heraclitus certainly knew what he was talking about. For it was the ancient Greek
philosopher who coined the famous quote, "The only constant in life is change."
Heraclitus never knew just how true his words were.

This past year at the Forsyth County Public Library has indeed been one of constant
change. In mid-September it was announced that Central Library would close to the
public for two and one half years while extensive renovations took place.

Our challenges were many in number and immediate in need. Decisions about what went
into storage, what went to branches and what was no longer needed had to be made
under a condensed timeline.

Central Library staff had to be re-assigned to Branches. Contracts with movers had
to be finalized. Regularly scheduled programs had to find new homes in the downtown
area. The list seemed endless.

However, in the midst of this activity an interesting discovery was made. Within
the constant of change lies opportunity. Central Library staff re-assigned to Branches
would have the chance to broaden their experiences by working in a different environment;
learning and sharing thoughts and ideas with other staff members who they would
otherwise not have an opportunity to work with.

Packing up for our move also provided the perfect opportunity to weed out materials
from our collection that were no longer needed, giving us room to add materials
that more closely reflect the wants and needs of the community.

Perhaps the most unexpected surprise has been the large amount of media coverage
that has been given to our move. Did you know that the Library is the only county
department that competes directly in the open market for patrons. People have choices
where they can get the resources and materials that are our stock-in-trade.

The media exposure that surrounded our move, and which continues as design plans
are finalized and renovations begin, has been invaluable. It has created a renewed
awareness of the Library that we would have been unable to achieve on our own without
investing in a costly marketing campaign.

As we absorb change we do so not with feelings fraught with anxiety, but with an
air of gratitude. For without change there is no growth. So here's to Heraclitus,
we owe you more than you could ever imagine.